Velma M. Kruse, 96, of Ft. Wayne, died at 2:08 a.m. on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 following an extended illness. Velma was born September 15, 1910 in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, the daughter of Henry J. Wehr and Anna F. (Lohse) Wehr. She was educated at the Trinity Lutheran Elementary School in Ft. Wayne. She then was enrolled and graduated from the Lutheran Institute, which later became Concordia High School. Following her education she was employed as a bookkeeper before she met her husband. Velma was united in marriage to Carlton E. Kruse on June 28, 1934. After her marriage, Velma took great pride in homemaking, cooking, and baking skills. She was a devoted mother and invaluable assistant to Carlton in his business ventures. Carlton and Velma enjoyed 60 years of marriage before Carlton preceded her in death on January 25, 1995. Velma was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who loved her parents, sister, and all of her husbands family. Velma loved playing bridge and was a formidable opponent! She also enjoyed gardening and tending her plants and flowers. She loved to collect and show pictures of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Velma loved her family, church, her many friends and neighbors. She was always ready to lend a helping hand and volunteered for many organizations over the years. Most of all, Velma loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Velma is survived by her daughter, Lois J. (Thomas H.) Orton of Georgetown, Texas; 3 Grandchildren: John T. (Terri) Orton, Lorrie (John) Heath, Merrie (Dr. Edward J.) MacInerney; 5 Great-Grandchildren: Ryan and Claire Orton; Dylan, Gillian, and Cullen MacInerney. Velma was preceded in death by two daughters: Marilyn Ann Kruse and Nancy Joan Kruse and her sister, Helen Dickmeyer. A funeral service to celebrate Velmas life will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 23, 2007 in the Lutheran Homes Chapel in Ft. Wayne, Indiana with Reverend Richard Maassel officiating. Friends and family will be received from 12:30 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. to share memories of Velma. Following the funeral services, Velma will be buried next to her husband, Carlton Kruse, and their daughters in the Old Concordia Cemetery, Ft. Wayne. Following the graveside service, a reception and light lunch will immediately follow at the Concord Village. Velma had requested that memorial contributions be made to the following organizations: Lutheran Homes, St. Paul Endowment Fund, or the Concordia High School Carlton and Velma Kruse Scholarship Fund. These contributions can be made at the funeral service on Friday or can be sent to Zwick & Jahn Funeral Homes at 520 North Second Street, Decatur, IN 46733. Arrangements are by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Decatur, Indiana. For complete obituary information or to sign the on-line guestbook, please visit www.zwickjahn.com.
